Details of QOF suspension in Wales

The Welsh government has suspended most QOF requirements for practices from now until 31 March in order to free up capacity to deal with winter pressures.

Dr Charlotte Jones, chair, GPC Wales

As of 19 January, practices can elect to opt out of up to 75% of QOF points with no financial loss.

The plan aims to allow clinicians to spend more time managing the most vulnerable and chronically sick patients as demand for services increases significantly.

Practices are able to opt out of 75% of the total 567 points. The only elements that remain compulsory will be two Influenza indicators worth 20 points and the cluster network domain indicators worth 115 points.

To ensure that practices do not lose out financially, for every indicator that the practice choses to opt out of the achievement for 2016/17 will be compared with the 2015/16 achievement and the health board will pay the practice at the higher of the two levels achieved.

The statement of financial entitlements legal directions will be amended to reflect this.

GPC Wales chair Dr Charlotte Jones said: ‘This welcome move will have a positive effect on practices by reducing bureaucracy and box ticking, as well as releasing capacity which will enable GPs and practice nurses to focus on the complex care needs of their patients at a particularly busy time.

‘We are committed to working in partnership with the Welsh government to continue improving working conditions for GPs in Wales, and this agreement demonstrates what can be achieved through collaboration on an agreed vision.’